Senior Bowl 2011: My First Crack of 2011 at a Mock Draft
I admit as I'm writing this mock draft that I have yet to watch any film, other than nine QBs (since they are my top priority this year). Everything here is based on my opinions from watching whatever games I was able to throughout the year, and sadly somewhat based on consensus.
That being said, I will use my knowledge of the quarterbacks, and will only allow one of them to end up in the First Round, because as of now I believe only one is deserving of such an honor.
Additionally, the majority of my picks will be based on need and who I consider to be the best player, not necessarily who the experts believe will be picked there. Enough said, let's go!
1. Carolina Panthers- Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
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While I'm not 100 percent convinced Nick Fairley is the absolute best player in this draft (maybe Da'Quan Bowers), I do believe Fairley is the best fit for Carolina's needs.
Defensive tackle is a position the Panthers struggled with a year ago, whereas defensive end is actually a position of strength for this team. I'm assuming Ron Rivera will maintain the 4-3 Tampa Two style that has been effective under Ron Meeks the past couple years.
If so, Fairley is really the perfect type of defensive tackle who can clog running lanes and create penetration in the backfield to make NFC South quarterbacks uncomfortable, admittedly a tough task.
2. Denver Broncos- Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
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As I said I believe Bowers is probably the best player in this draft. Just as a year ago (Ndamukong Suh), it seems likely the best player will go off the board at pick number two.
Bowers has the flexibility to anchor as a five-technique defensive end in a 3-4 scheme (Denver's scheme the past two years) or play as pass-rushing 4-3 end (the system John Fox is more known for).
As the best player with this kind of flexibility Bowers is a hot commodity, and certainly the Broncos could do a lot worse than selecting this guy.
3. Buffalo Bills- A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
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In a perfect world, I'm sure the Bills would find a way to trade down to the middle of the round and pick up an extra pick or two in order to select an offensive tackle or find another piece for their defense.
But assuming they keep this pick, they could certainly help whoever their long-term QB is by taking the man with hops. A.J. is an exciting player who may be the second coming of Larry Fitzgerald. He is known for making big-time leaping catches over defenders (as seen in this picture).
Having that type of receiver instantly makes your offense better, assuming you have a serviceable quarterback, as the Bills do.
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.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
4. Cincinnati Bengals Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
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Of course common sense would tell us that the Bengals already have two great cornerbacks. The problem with such common sense is that one of them is a free agent to be.
Drafting Peterson, while not my preferred choice seems like the type of move the Bengals would make, while allowing Johnathan Joseph to leave via free agency.
Peterson would provide return ability and play-making ability if he can step front of a few quarterback's passes.
5. Arizona Cardinals- Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M
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Miller seems to be the common sense pick here by many experts. The Cardinals are pretty thin at the OLB/pass-rush specialist position. And pass rushing is what Miller does best.
While the Cardinals are still without a defensive coordinator, their usage of the 3-4 scheme is in question. But there's no doubt if they choose to continue in that scheme, Miller would be a wonderful fit.
Miller was one of the best players at the Senior Bowl last week. He proved he is ready to make the leap to the NFL. The Cardinals cannot wait to have someone aide them in getting the ball back to their offense.
6. Cleveland Browns- Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
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I do not anticipate being as high on Dareus as many observers apparently are. That being said, Dareus likely will be a top-ten pick come April. He is ideal for a 3-4 defense, which I'm assuming Cleveland will continue to run.
If they decide they want to run another style of defense, North Carolina defensive end Robert Quinn would be a good fit as a natural 4-3 player.
This pick is hard because we simply do not know at this time what defense the Browns are going to employ the next time we see them on the field in a game.
7. San Francisco 49ers- Cameron Jordan, DE, California
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Many believe Cameron Jordan is the perfect fit for a 3-4 defense as a five-technique player. Jordan would give the team a chance to go in a different direction on the line, especially given the possibility that Aubrayo Franklin could leave via free agency.
Most assume the 49ers maintain their 3-4 defensive scheme, especially since Harbaugh's Stanford team ran the same alignment. Being from Stanford's rival, Jordan is no doubt a player Harbaugh has respect for and would greatly wish to place on his team.
It seems like an appropriate marriage to me, especially since it would make Patrick Willis even better than he already is.
8. Tennessee Titans- Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
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Most would say this is the perfect opportunity for the Titans, as they would certainly take their new franchise QB.
First off, I don't know we can make such an assumption since we do not even know who the Titans Head Coach will be. Second, I do not believe their is a QB in this draft worthy of the eighth selection. If they could trade down into the twenties, or seventeen with New England, they could take their QB then.
That being said, we're assuming they must make a selection here.
So for the second year in a row they take a defensive end. Robert Quinn was going to be a top-five pick before the season, and only a lack of game film drop him here to Tennessee at eight. With this selection, the Titans look to build up a young defensive line that can create pressure on Peyton Manning and Matt Schaub for years to come.
9. Dallas Cowboys- Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
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Most experts agree that Nate Solder is top offensive tackle in this draft, and he did nothing to sway them from that opinion last week at the Senior Bowl.
As a public team, everyone knows the Cowboys need a left tackle of the future, and Solder seems to be the best bet in this draft. It's not necessarily the sexy pick that Jerry Jones would like to make, but it is the smart decision and the one that sets the Cowboys up for future offensive success.
10. Washington Redskins- Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
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Julio Jones a similar player, at least in style to Terrell Owens. He is a guy you want to throw the ball short to and let him run with it. That kind of style fits the West Coast offense of Mike Shanahan fairly well. Jones can run some of those vertical routes, although it's not his strength.
Jones will run the crossing routes, get the reverses, and hitches and keep the offense on schedule. With Anthony Armstrong running the deep routes, that's a good start for a Redskins offense still unsure who will play QB in their next season.
11. Houston Texans- Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA
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Akeem Ayers is an explosive athlete who can rush the passer but also drop back into coverage. As a 3-4 outside linebacker those would be his two primary responsibilities under Wade Phillips. Getting a second OLB opposite Connor Barwin would free the Texans up to take a nose tackle in the second round, if they think one is deserving of such a rating.
Ayers and Barwin would almost guarantee Phillips has the pass rushers he needs and would allow Brian Cushing to play inside next to DeMeco Ryans and give the Texans a pretty solid group of linebackers to get after the passer in their brand new 3-4 defense.
12. Minnesota Vikings- Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
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Prince is literally a prince, which is a pretty cool fact, but no reason to elevate his draft status higher than it should be.
Prince is a top-15 talent, but to elevate him into the top-ten would be wrong. Playing in Minnesota would allow Prince to learn from one of the game's best in Antoine Winfield. And playing in Leslie Frazier's Tampa Two style, he can be a squat corner which fits his skill set very well.
Without going in the top-ten, this is one of the best scenarios Prince could find himself in.
13. Detroit Lions- Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
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After the Lions nice finish to 2010, the Lions truly look to be one or two players away from being a playoff team. The last few years I believed the Lions should have drafted an offensive tackle high in the draft, and am again hopeful they go in that direction.
This time they can take Boston College OT Anthony Castonzo to help protect Matthew Stafford and open running lanes for Jahvid Best.
14. St. Louis Rams- Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
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Don't forget for a second that Steve Spagnuolo's primary backgrounds are from the Giants and Eagles. This is important because both are known for taking defensive line help even when it doesn't seem to be a necessity (as is the case for this version of the Rams).
As a result, I see the Rams taking the best fit of the group of possible d-linemen available at this point in the draft.
15. Miami Dolphins- Colin Kaepernick, QB, Nevada
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I realize most don't have Kaepernick going anywhere this high. I also realize most have Mark Ingram going here.
To me, Ingram is more of a stretch in this spot than Kaepernick, especially considering the necessity of the Dolphins finding a guy who can consistently get the ball to Brandon Marshall. I absolutely believe Kaepernick can be that guy.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars- Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
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Now you're assuming I'm made a mistake. I did not though. As much as I love Mo Drew, he has been banged up and could use a reliable sidekick.
Ingram can be that guy to take some of the pressure off the human bowling ball.
17. New England Patriots- Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
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Clayborn fits the bill of what BB wants in a 3-4 defensive end. He will provide depth, hold the point of attack, and occasionally provide pressure.
18. San Diego Chargers- Tyron Smith, OT, Southern California
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This may not seem like much of a need pick, and truthfully it's not, but then again when do the Chargers ever re-sign any of their own players not named Philip Rivers?
My point is the Chargers likely won't re-sign Jeromy Clary, leaving the right tackle spot open. Smith could legitimately come in and win that spot right away.
19. New York Giants- JJ Watt, DE/OLB, Wisconsin
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The Giants probably wish the Chargers didn't just screw them again (see Rivers for Manning, Eli trade) by taking Tyron Smith the pick before.
Nonetheless, it allowed the Giants to do what they love more than anything, acquire another pass rushing defensive end. Watt could play in a 3-4 as an OLB, but also fits in the Giants 4-3 as a defensive end.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri
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Aldon Smith is being seen by many as an outside linebacker for a 3-4 defense, but those kind of guys generally also fit well as 4-3 defensive ends in Tampa Two schemes.
As he gets bigger and stronger, he'll get better. Tampa can afford to take a developmental guy since they're already playing so many young kids. Competition will hopefully only make this kid better.
21. Kansas City Chiefs- Justin Houston, OLB, Georgia
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The Chiefs are desperate for someone to step up opposite Tamba Hali and provide a pass rush threat. Bringing in Houston almost guarantees that. It's also nice that Houston got a year of experience playing in a 3-4 defensive scheme under his belt.
22. Indianapolis Colts- Mike Pouncey, OL, Florida
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It's likely the Colts would've jumped on Tyron Smith had he somehow been available here. But the point is that the Colts desperately need to improve their line play and will do it anyway they can. Pouncey rates higher than any tackle possibility remaining here.
23. Philadelphia Eagles- Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple
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The fact there's no picture of Wilkerson makes it amazing that anyone would consider him a first round pick possibility. Yet, there are draft experts that consider that possibility to be so. Andy Reid loves drafting defensive linemen in the first round, and isn't shy about taking local players either.
24. New Orleans Saints- Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State
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I admit I watched less college football this season than I have probably since I was five. Despite that fact, I caught a few Ohio State games, and am shocked Heyward's stock has dropped as low as it apparently has. To me this is a bargain pick for the Saints.
25. Seattle Seahawks- Brandon Harris, CB, Miami
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I admit I don't know a lot about Harris, but his name has risen up draft boards since he declared himself eligible for the draft. A corner from Miami by definition will always be quick and have swagger. Those are two qualities you want in any corner.
26. Baltimore Ravens- Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
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Joe Flacco thought the firing of QB Coach Jim Zorn was an attack on him, so the Ravens need to do something to make it up to Joe.
Maybe finding another guy who can block for him and Ray Rice is that nice make-up present.
27. Atlanta Falcons- Mikel LeShoure, RB, Illinois
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It seems the moment LeShoure declared for the draft, everyone went from "who is that?" to "oh he's a first round pick" immediately.
What we do know is that he's explosive, and that makes him a great counter-punch to Michael Turner's power game.
28. New England Patriots- Ryan Williams, RB, Virginia Tech
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BB seems to like smaller explosive running backs. That's what Williams is. Nobody doubts the Patriots need for a go-to running back. Perhaps Williams becomes that guy.
29. Chicago Bears- Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
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Two things: first, I can't believe the Bears actually have a first round pick, it's seemed so long since their last one. Second, Carimi is probably not a first round-caliber player, meaning this pick is more an indictment on the Bears line than a positive statement about Carimi.
30. New York Jets- Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
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Ideally the Jets would like to find a pass rusher here, but most if not all of the legitimate first round guys are long off the board. As a result, they try to find more talent at corner so they can play an 11 defensive back scheme next year.
31. Green Bay Packers- Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois
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How do you criticize a team that went to the Super Bowl? Truthfully, their depth proves they have fewer flaws than any team in the game today.
They will look to build on that depth and get younger along the defensive line by adding the Fighting Illini junior DT. Liuget played some five-technique at Illinois which will help him in his transition to the Packers' 3-4 scheme. Additionally he'll get to learn from our man above, Cullen Jenkins.
32. Pittsburgh Steelers- Aaron Williams, CB, Texas
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Williams just seems like the prototypical Steelers pick. He seems like a smart, good athlete who can blend right in, play special teams right away, and start at corner in a year or two.
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